Ann is absolutely correct...institutional theatres work hard to maintain relationships with writers and sometimes that means taking a chance on a piece that may not be ready or just simply may not be any good. It's worth it to them because, even though this particular play or musical may flop, the next one or the one after that could be a solid gold hit that goes to Broadway and pays them residuals for the next 20+ years.

Every institutional theatre is searching for an A CHORUS LINE or a RENT to bring in money over a long period of time. That money can sustain the theatre and allow them to take chances that they wouldn't otherwise have been able to afford.